Cheap flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns from $140
This is the cheapest retur flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 25/11. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
MEL — CNS
15 Nov — 22 Nov1
Return
1 adult
Economy
Return
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags
Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Melbourne to Cairns are usually found in February or March, booked 83 days in advance, depart on a Tuesday or Wednesday and return on a Friday
Cheap flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns
Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.
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Best
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One-way
Cheapest flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Melbourne to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 16 October 2026.
Wed 25/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Mon 30/1109:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 16/10$286
Wed 25/1119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Tue 1/1209:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 12/10$289
Thu 17/1206:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Thu 31/1214:40 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 15/10$291
Thu 10/1206:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Tue 15/1219:50 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 12/10$292
Sun 22/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Sun 13/1219:10 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 13/10$296
Thu 17/1206:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Sun 20/1214:40 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 13/10$298
Mon 7/1206:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Tue 8/1214:40 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 14/10$304
Sat 21/1119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Sun 29/1107:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 13/10$324
Sun 13/1208:35 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Thu 17/1219:10 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 14/10$325
Sat 7/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Sun 6/1219:10 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 11/10$335
Best flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Discover carefully curated flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 16 October 2026.
Sun 22/1116:05 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Sun 13/1209:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 12/10$305
Mon 2/1106:00 -
1 stop5h 15m
Sun 8/1106:00 -
1 stop6h 15m
Deal found 12/10$475
Mon 16/1115:25 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Mon 23/1109:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 12/10$415
Sat 19/1219:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Tue 22/1209:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 16/10$442
Fri 19/210:00 -
1 stop5h 55m
Fri 26/210:55 -
1 stop5h 40m
Deal found 15/10$494
Mon 30/1106:15 -
1 stop5h 00m
Mon 7/1214:40 -
1 stop5h 35m
Deal found 15/10$498
Fri 13/1106:05 -
1 stop6h 15m
Fri 20/1109:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 13/10$497
Fri 27/1110:45 -
1 stop5h 10m
Fri 4/1214:40 -
1 stop5h 35m
Deal found 13/10$501
Fri 1/106:00 -
1 stop6h 00m
Fri 8/115:45 -
1 stop6h 20m
Deal found 14/10$501
Sat 9/112:00 -
1 stop5h 45m
Sat 16/114:40 -
1 stop5h 35m
Deal found 14/10$501
Direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Explore direct flight options from Melbourne to Cairns based on user searches, and compare prices and availability for your desired travel dates. Data last updated 16 October 2026.
Wed 25/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Mon 30/1109:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 16/10$286
Wed 25/1119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Tue 1/1209:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 12/10$289
Thu 17/1206:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Thu 31/1214:40 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 15/10$291
Thu 10/1206:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Tue 15/1219:50 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 12/10$292
Tue 12/106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Sat 16/109:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 14/10$294
Thu 7/119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Thu 14/107:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 13/10$295
Sun 22/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Sun 13/1219:10 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 13/10$296
Thu 17/1206:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Sun 20/1214:40 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 13/10$298
Sat 9/106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Fri 15/119:50 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 12/10$301
Mon 7/1206:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Tue 8/1214:40 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 14/10$304
Last-minute flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Discover last-minute flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns. Data last updated 16 October 2026 and is based on user searches.
Sat 7/1116:35 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Sun 6/1219:10 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 13/10$304
Sat 21/1119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Sun 29/1107:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 13/10$324
Sat 21/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Fri 12/214:40 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 15/10$341
Sat 21/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Tue 24/1109:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 14/10$343
Sun 22/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Sun 13/1219:10 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 13/10$296
Mon 23/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Thu 3/1209:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 16/10$337
Wed 25/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Mon 30/1109:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 16/10$286
Wed 25/1119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Tue 1/1209:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 12/10$289
One-way flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Search for one-way flight options from Melbourne to Cairns. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Data last updated 16 October 2026.
Wed 25/1119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 16/10$140
Tue 12/115:25 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 13/10$141
Tue 5/119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 16/10$150
Sat 21/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 16/10$158
Mon 23/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 15/10$160
Wed 18/1106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 12/10$161
Fri 1/106:15 -
Nonstop3h 15m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 15/10$178
Tue 3/1119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 12/10$180
Sat 24/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 12/10$181
Fri 23/1006:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 12/10$186
Find flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns
Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated 16 October 2026.
Customise your flight search to find flights from Melbourne to Cairns that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 7,457,451 searches. Data last updated 16 October 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns that are best for you.
Fly from
Fly to
Route
Depart
Return
Price
Cheapest return flight
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Fri 27/11
15:25-17:45
Nonstop3h 20m
Cairns
Wed 31/12
00:00-00:00
Nonstop0h 00m
$180
Fastest return journey
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Fri 18/12
06:15-08:30
Nonstop3h 15m
Cairns
Wed 31/12
00:00-00:00
Nonstop0h 00m
$212
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Fri 18/12
10:00-14:55
1 stop5h 55m
Cairns
Wed 31/12
00:00-00:00
Nonstop0h 00m
$235
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Thu 22/10
06:00-10:25
1 stop5h 25m
Cairns
Wed 31/12
00:00-00:00
Nonstop0h 00m
$235
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Thu 26/11
06:00-10:15
1 stop5h 15m
Cairns
Wed 31/12
00:00-00:00
Nonstop0h 00m
$235
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Sat 19/12
19:50-22:10
Nonstop3h 20m
Cairns
Wed 31/12
00:00-00:00
Nonstop0h 00m
$236
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Thu 31/12
08:30-14:55
1 stop7h 25m
Cairns
Wed 31/12
00:00-00:00
Nonstop0h 00m
$245
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Mon 21/12
11:00-16:45
1 stop6h 45m
Cairns
Wed 31/12
00:00-00:00
Nonstop0h 00m
$245
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Fri 13/11
09:30-14:55
1 stop6h 25m
Cairns
Wed 31/12
00:00-00:00
Nonstop0h 00m
$246
MelbourneCairns
MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns
MELCNS
Melbourne
Sat 7/11
10:45-14:55
1 stop5h 10m
Cairns
Wed 31/12
00:00-00:00
Nonstop0h 00m
$246
Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.
Deals found on 12/10
Showing 1-10 of 22 resultsSorted by cheapest first
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2
3
Best time to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns
Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from Melbourne with our price prediction graph.
MEL-CNS
Estimated return price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.
Cheapflights Insights
Everything you need to know about your flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns
Prices
Airlines
Delays
How far ahead should I book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns, you should look to book at least 82 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.
What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns (average of $258). Flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in September is currently the most expensive (average of $451). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.
What is the cheapest time of day to fly from MEL to CNS?
Find hourly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated 16 October 2026.
Unlike at midday, when flights are generally more expensive, you can save up to 35% on flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns by exploring options for tickets in the evening.
What is the cheapest day to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return from Melbourne to Cairns. Price data was last updated on 10 October 2026.
Travellers seeking maximum savings on their Melbourne Airport to Cairns flight should consider departing on Wednesday at midday when fares are most often at their lowest. Monday at midday flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.
How much does it cost for a return flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Airfare is typical for this route at the moment.
Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights typically cost between $278 and $472 in November.The cheapest return price found within the last 5 days was $286 on Jetstar (25 Nov–30 Nov).
Weekly flight availability from Melbourne Airport to Cairns
Explore weekly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated 16 October 2026.
The most flights from MEL to CNS are scheduled on a Wednesday (26 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Friday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (13 on average).
How often are flights from Melbourne to Cairns delayed?
About 19% of weekly flights between Melbourne and Cairns have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 111 minutes.
What is the most punctual flight time for Melbourne to Cairns flights?
Historically, flights departing at night are less likely to be delayed, whereas flights leaving in the evening tend to experience delays more often.
What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?
Saturday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Wednesday has historically faced a higher average of delays compared to other days of the week.
Which airline has the best punctuality record on Melbourne to Cairns flights?
Over the past year, Virgin Australia have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 13% of flights being delayed.
Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns
Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Cairns. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Cairns. Reviews last updated 16 October 2026.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown with Virgin Australia,Qantas Airways, andJetstar
from Melbourne Airport to Cairns. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now
Related info for your journey
Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Melbourne to Cairns. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns from Melbourne?
If you book a flight to Cairns from Melbourne, you will be flying to Cairns, which is the city’s only airport. Cairns (CNS) is located 4.4 km from the centre of Cairns. There are 16 flights from Melbourne to Cairns per day from 3 different airlines.
How long is the flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Airlines like Jetstar and Virgin Australia fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in about 3h 20m. The time it takes to get you to your destination can typically vary by up to 1h 55m. The distance between Melbourne Airport and Cairns is about 2311 km. When browsing for deals, the options you’ll see will be for both direct flights and flights with stops.
What are the cheapest airlines flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns round-trip?
Our cheapest airline available from Melbourne Airport to Cairns is Jetstar. Our recent data shows that you can find tickets from as low as $132 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, starting at $167 and $265 round-trip. Jetstar is priced at 61% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.
What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns one-way?
$108 is the cheapest one-way deal found within the past few days, from Jetstar. You may also be able to find cheap deals on Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, with prices starting from $142 and $216, respectively.
What are the most reliable airlines from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
The top 3 most reliable airlines when flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns are Air India (93%), Air Niugini (90%) and China Eastern (90%).
What are the cheapest flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
On average you can expect to pay $764 for a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns. The cheapest flight overall is $132 while the most popular route, (Melbourne - Cairns) is currently priced at $237.
Where are the most common stopover locations when flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights have a stopover in Brisbane most often.
What are some popular things to do or see while on a stopover in Brisbane?
If you're on a stopover in Brisbane and looking for things to do, consider visiting Roma Street Parkland, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, or St. John's Anglican Cathedral. Roma Street Parkland, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and St. John's Anglican Cathedral are located about 12.6 km, 13.5 km, and 11.9 km, respectively from Brisbane if you are interested in checking them out. Travellers in need of a car in Brisbane can hire one for about $64 per day.
Where are the least popular stopover locations for Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights?
The least popular stopover on flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns is Sydney.
Can I find deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns that include hotel bookings?
Yes. In addition to deals on Melbourne to Cairns flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.
How can I find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns.
Can I find deals for business class flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.
What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns (average of $258). Flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in September is currently the most expensive (average of $451). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.
Book flights to Cairns if you plan to visit one of these locations
Mission Beach
Trinity Beach
Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip
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Fly from Melbourne to Cairns on these airlines
Choose from the following airlines for your flight from Melbourne to Cairns. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 16 October 2026.
Explore flights to Cairns departing from other origins. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 16 October 2026.
Browse through other flights departing from Melbourne. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 16 October 2026.
Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Melbourne to Cairns. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 7,457,451 searches. Data last updated 16 October 2026.
Find the best flight deals on Cheapflights, where travellers can enjoy low prices and a wide availability of flights to their desired destinations.
How does Cheapflights help users find flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
Cheapflights goes through 900+ travel sites to look for the best flight deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns. Too many options? Cheapflights also provides filters for things like airlines, price ranges, and number of stops to help you make a decision easily.
Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from Melbourne to Cairns?
Millions of users choose and trust Cheapflights to book the best flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns for free. We help you search and compare prices from hundreds of airlines for the right flight just for you.
Can Cheapflights find flights from Melbourne to Cairns with no change fees?
Cheapflights does show flights with no change fees to all users. To see these options for flights from Melbourne to Cairns, users can toggle the no change fees filter when performing a flight search.
Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from Melbourne to Cairns become cheaper?
Yes, Cheapflights offers price alerts on Melbourne to Cairns flights so you can book your travel at the perfect time. Price Alerts can be enabled by clicking the bell icon next to the flight deals above and providing your email address where you want to receive the alerts.
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